Community Notes: July 10-16

The local chapter of the West Virginia University alumni organization is accepting monetary donations for victims of the recent flooding in West Virginia. The group will match the contribution up to $2,500. To donate, go to squ.re/295aeKf. wvualumni-rtp.com

Military Appreciation Day

New Hope Valley Railway hosts Military Appreciation Day beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 10, at the rail yard, 3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill. Military personnel who show their military ID at the ticket booth will receive four free family tickets for the diesel train rides; online tickets not available for military personnel. Tickets for the general public range from $7 to $15. For more information, go to TriangleTrain.com.

Police Youth Academy

Registration is under way for the Police Youth Academy from Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15, at the Law Enforcement Center, 750 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs. For more information, email andrew.humphries@hollyspringsnc.us.

Dogs with Dad

Cary’s Dogs with Dad program features a pedal boat or canoe ride on the lake at Bond Park, followed by a hot dog dinner, from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, July 15. For children ages 4-10. Cost: $23 per parent and child; $12 for an additional child. Pre-registration required; go to classweb.townofcary.org.

Grant requests

The Cary Community Foundation and the Morrisville Community Fund are accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations in each town that serve general charitable needs. For information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org. Application deadline is noon Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The Town of Fuquay-Varina celebrates National Ice Cream Day with a free family Ice Cream Social from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Mineral Spring Park, 105 W. Spring St.

Harris Lake Park

Upcoming programs at Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. For more information and to register, go to bit.ly/1YF8gC1. 919-387-4342, bit.ly/213kQMG

Dr. Bikram Singh, with Cary Dental Rejuvenation, will provide free dental care for adults from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, July 22, at the clinic, 155 Parkway Office Court, Suite 104, in Parkway Professional Center, Cary. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Those interested in participating are asked to bring a form of ID and a list of medications. Services will include an exam and X-rays, with the option of a filling, extraction or cleaning. For information, call 919-460-5454.

Morning wildlife

A guided hike on the American Tobacco Trail will travel to the Beaver Creek wetlands area from 9:30-11 a.m., Saturday, July 23. Participants will search for songbirds, turtles, butterflies and other morning wildlife. For all ages. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. For more information and to register: 919-387-4342, bit.ly/1WUKMbu.

Native American culture

Christina Theodorou, of the American Indian Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, will discuss North Carolina's eight indigenous nations and their culture from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at West Regional Library, 4000 Louis Stephens Drive, Cary. Registration recommended. bit.ly/1Ue9fFk

In Apex, Bear Kaeck will discuss Lakota life on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation from 7-8 p.m. Monday, July 25, at Eva Perry Regional Library, 2100 Shepherd's Vineyard Drive, Apex.

SPCA fundraiser

Taziki’s Happy Yappy Hour, a fundraiser for the SPCA of Wake County, will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, 302 Colonades Way, Suite 201, at Waverly Place, Cary. Leashed dogs welcome outside. A raffle will be held. For more information, go to bit.ly/1Q8avym.

Tickets for the whole hog pig-picking from 6-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, are $49 in advance and $55 the day of the event. The event is from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Tickets are $39 in advance and $45 the day of the event. Tickets for the additional bacon and whole hog session Saturday are $59 in advance and $65 the day of the event. boothamphitheatre.com

Registration is under way for the BBQ, Blues and Brews barbecue cook-off competition in downtown Fuquay-Varina. The fundraiser is scheduled from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, on Broad Street in the historic Varina district and also will feature bluegrass music and craft beer. For more information and to register for the cook-off, go to bit.ly/1s7P3PG.

Suicide prevention

Registration is open for the Out of the Darkness Walk, Fuquay-Varina, scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the South Park trail head of the Jeff Wells Environmental Trail.

The Fuquay-Varina Police Department is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host the fourth annual fundraising event. For more information and to register: bit.ly/1R6mF4w.